[Itk-welcome] Arrival Information

Dear Students, Your arrival in Budapest is just around the corner - we look forward to welcoming you soon! To help with your preparations, please read the following practical information carefully. Arrival & Transport * From the airport, the easiest way to reach the city centre is the 100E airport shuttle bus (ticket: 2,200 HUF), leaving directly from the airport entrance. Tickets can be purchased at the vending machines at the airport (card payment is accepted). Please note that no other tickets or passes (including monthly passes) are valid for this bus. * For your first days, we recommend buying an ordinary 15-day Budapest travel pass (5,950 HUF), or using blocks of 10 tickets (4,500 HUF), since your student passes will only be available after enrollment (you can purchase them after 3 September at the earliest). * It is worth downloading the BudapestGO app to your phone for route planning and ticket purchases (available in English). Further travel info: https://bkk.hu/en Orientation Week (Sept 1 to 5) * We are expecting you on Monday, September 1, at 8.45 am at our Faculty building, Práter utca 50/a (don't go to the central university address in Szentkirályi utca!). * The first session will be held in Jedlik Lecture Room (signs will guide you), starting at 9.00 am. * Attendance in the Orientation Week is mandatory, except for those who informed us in advance about a late arrival, due to justifiable reasons. Enrollment * Please bring your passport (or ID for EU citizens). * Please bring 1,000 HUF (cash only) for your entry key fob. * If possible, please bring a fridge magnet from your city/country for our International Relations Office. * Full-program students must also bring: * Original diploma (and English translation if not issued in English) * Original language certificate (unless your BSc was fully in English) * Erasmus students do not need to bring their diploma or language certificates. Banking & Payments * MasterCard and Visa cards are widely accepted in Hungary. However, since the local currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF), conversion fees can add up if your account is in another currency. * Revolut and Wise cards are also popular and work smoothly in Hungary, usually with better exchange rates than traditional banks. They are good options if you want to minimize conversion costs. * In case you prefer opening a traditional Hungarian account: OTP, Erste, and K&H are the biggest banks with English-speaking services. The process takes more time and paperwork compared to Revolut/Wise. * Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders : you will need a Hungarian account for your scholarship payments. Both Revolut and Wise accounts are accepted for this purpose, as well as classic Hungarian bank accounts. * For IPCV students , it is worth carefully considering the currency of your account. While everyday expenses in Hungary are in HUF, in Spain and France you will need EUR. (Those receiving the EMJM scholarship will also get their stipend in EUR.) In your case, Revolut or Wise might be the most practical choice, as these accounts make it very easy and cost-efficient to switch between currencies. Dormitory * For those who have been accepted to one of the university dormitories: the dorms will be able to welcome you after 26 August. * Questions about room allocation or facilities should be addressed directly to the dormitory: kollegium(a)ppke.hu. Important Events * Commencement of classes: Monday, September 8 * International Opening Ceremony: Monday, September 8, at 4 pm (business casual attire required). * International Day : in October (TBD). If possible, please bring * a small food/snack from your country, * a typical item of national clothing. * (Neither are indispensable, but these would definitely contribute to the international atmosphere of the day.) Extras for Erasmus Students * EU citizens with a valid student ID from their home university can use it to buy a Hungarian student pass (provided that the student ID is valid for the 2025/26 academic year). Please bring it with you. * Bring your European Health Insurance Card (“blue card”), if you have one. In this case, you don't need any extra health insurance. We wish you smooth travels and are excited to see you soon in Budapest! Best regards, Andrea Mihálffy Head of International Relations Office Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics C 1083 Budapest, Práter u. 50/a. T +36 (1) 886-4702 E mihalffy.andrea(a)itk.ppke.hu [ https://itk.ppke.hu/ ]